jersey city

Labor Day is the unofficial “end of summer” and if you’re staying in Jersey City instead of hitting the beach, we have two activities that are sure to end your summer on a great note!

Liberty State Park –Liberty State Park is a green oasis in our very own Jersey City. With the Manhattan skyline, the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island as a spectacular backdrop, Liberty State Park is one of the state’s most dramatic parks. Grab some friends and enjoy a picnic or a BBQ and enjoy the beautiful views and fresh air! If you have a larger group that wants to have a BBQ, there are seven open-air, group picnic areas available for reservation. Each are equipped with eight picnic tables and one large, charcoal grill. There is no fee for the use of a group picnic area; however, a permit must be obtained prior to use.

William Wall – There are still some tickets available to board the William Wall boat on August 31st which is anchored in the middle of the Hudson River. This is a hidden gem in Jersey City and is the perfect activity for Labor Day weekend! The boat has a full bar and you can bring your own food. Your ticket covers a round-trip on their Admiral’s Launch water taxi from the Manhattan Yacht Club in Jersey City to the Honorable William Wall and back. On your way back you’ll get dropped off at Surf City, where you can end the night with a few more drinks.

Move over National Tequila Day, National Wine and Cheese Day is here! National Cheese and Wine Day originated in 2014 and is a day of pairing your favorite (or new) wine and cheeses which is a regionalized tradition.

The day encourages us to try wines and cheese in combinations we’ve never tried before. Sampling the complexities in sweetness and acidity and comparing them at a tasting makes for an enjoyable experience. When we add friends to the adventure, the day becomes a celebration, too! Below are a few places in Jersey City where you can pair wine and cheese and feel like you’re in Napa Valley, France or Spain!

Third & Vine – If you love small plates, great wine and cocktails, and fancy cheese plates, you’ll have to check this spot out. They have 4 categories of cheeses to choose from: soft, stinky, firm and blue and 8 different meats to pair it with. You can also choose from 3 of their daily cheese and chatcuterie boards.

Satis Bistro – This restaurant serves brunch and dinner and also has a separate connecting wine bar that is gorgeous! Whether you want to sit at a table and order food, wine and cheese or just sit at the bar for a cheese plate and vino, you can do it all here.

Madame Claude Bis – An authentic French restaurant that has live gypsy jazz, French cheese and wines and a great ambiance.

Don’t forget to use #NationalWineAndCheeseDay when posting on social media.

It’s that favorite time of the year again for Jersey City foodies…Hudson County Restaurant week! This year they’ve added even more restaurants with 3-course prix fixe lunches starting as low as $15.00 and dinners starting at $25.00. Here is the full list, but below are the new additions we think are worth checking out!

Harry’s Daughter – This Caribbean Gastro Pub is known for their Sunday BBQ’s where you can eat a delicious meal for $10.00, their flavorful brunch menu and their Caribbean décor. For Restaurant Week they’ll have prix fixe lunch for $25.00 and dinner for $35.00. Entrees off the dinner menu include double braised short rib, Mahi Mahi, Trinidadian Style Curry Chicken and Jamaican Ital Stewed Peas (vegetarian).

The Franklin – If you’re looking for a BYOB restaurant with excellent pasta, The Franklin is the place! They will also have both lunch and dinner available at discounted prices. Customers can choice from wild mushroom risotto, cacio e pepe or braised short ribs for their entrees.

Jersey Social – Jersey Social serves contemporary American cuisine and cocktails with high quality ingredients and technique and service. This is RB Hospitality Group’s newest location and first in NJ. The Michelin Starred Group has brought in acclaimed Chef Adin Langille (former Executive Chef at Fabric by David Burke, and Michelin Starred Junoon Restaurant) and world renowned mixologist Hemant Pathak to lead the culinary and cocktail program. For restaurant week, their 3-course menu includes two burger options, spicy fried chicken sandwich, or a pasta dish. You’ll also get a glass of wine on the house!

Two hundred and thirty years after the storming of the Bastille, Bastille Day remains a symbol and celebration of liberty not just in France, but worldwide. So, it is only natural that Jersey City, a diverse city with breathtaking views of Lady Liberty, celebrates Bastille Day! The French American Academy is proud to be hosting this annual event for all ages.

If you love French wines, food and music than this is an event you don’t want to miss! It’s not every day (in New Jersey) you can indulge in authentic French escargot, savory crepes, cheeses and macarons all in one place while listening to live music. You’ll feel like you’re in the streets of Paris!

3rd Street will be lined with food and beverage booths, a stage for live music performances and high top tables to sit and enjoy your delicious French cuisine. The event is free but you can also purchase VIP Club tickets which includes champagne and cheese tasting while watching Tour de France.

Some participating restaurants in Jersey City are:

Choc O Pain – Their chocolate croissants are to die for!

Madame Claude – Authentic French food, live gypsy jazz and great cocktails!

Atlas – A favorite on Newark Ave for happy hour and live music.

La Cote – Great pasta dishes for dinner and they also serve brunch.

Ateliers du Chocolate – Perfect place to pick up delicious chocolates and truffles for a loved one.

Now that it’s officially summer, head to Surf City in Jersey City! Instead of driving an hour or hopping on a plane to be on the beach, you can take a 10 minute drive down to the waterfront and be surrounded by palm trees, sand, fire pits, music and great food. Surf City is located directly on the water with incredible views of Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty and has both indoor and outdoor seating. They also have five bars, so there won’t be any trouble finding a drink! One is even devoted exclusively to frozen tropical drinks.

The service in the restaurant is very casual. You put in your order and are given a pager and when it goes off you pick up your order. Easy Peasy! While your food is being prepared, you can go to the bar and grab a beer or cocktail and find a table. They have two, four and eight foot tables, so they are able to accommodate large groups making it the perfect spot to go with a bunch of friends. There are also long communal tables where you can meet and socialize with other guests.

Some favorites from their menu are the twin lobster roll, steamed clams, fish and chips, crispy chicken sandwich and they’ve also added the Impossible Burger to their menu for anyone who is vegan or vegetarian. Make sure to leave room for their key lime pie which is made with real juice from the Florida Keys.